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manager in the public debates, and was much regarded; for as he was an excellent fpeaker, fo the perfect candor of his fpirit, which in the whole of his conduct was fo apparent as to raise him quite above fufpicion, made him univerfally beloved: Even the greateft adverfaries to his caufe could not but admire him. He was of no party farther than his regard to truth and virtue made him of it. He was a great master in natural religion, and in the arguments which fupport the authority of the chriftian religion, to which he did great honour by a converfation worthy of it. He was a person quite above the fpirit of the world, and feemed to have no folicitude at all about his circumstances in it. No man easier about himfelf, but the good and benevolent affections fo reigned in him, that to do good to others was his conftant bufinefs and ftudy. And no one manifefted a greater reverence for his creator, and care to please him in all things. A fixed perfuafion of the perfect wisdom and goodness of God, and that all events are under the direction of his providence, begot fuch an habitual calm and tranquillity in his mind, that he was not to be fhaken even by moft afflicting occurrences.

He

He was a moft acceptable preacher, and had a wondrous faculty of expreffing himself, even upon the most difficult and abftracted fubjects, in a manner that was plain and eafy to the apprehenfion of his hearers. And his way of thinking was fo clear, and his memory fo ftrong, that tho' he did not write his fermons (which his friends now regret as a very fenfible lofs) yet he delivered himself in a correct style, and without any confusion. He was capable of rifing into great warmth, but the most diftant poffible from the unreasonable wildneffes of enthusiasm. His strong reasoning, enlivened by the zeal of his spirit, (which never discovered itself but in matters truly important) made deep impreffions upon his hearers. It was apparent he felt the power of the facred truth which he taught: And as he was a man of the greateft fimplicity of fpirit in declaring the truth, fo he was of the greateft firmness in defending it; not to be fway'd by any authority, or daunted by any oppofition.

MR. Taylor was a man of found judgment, and very confiderable knowledge. He was a weighty speaker, and could mix the argumentative and pathetic very agreed 3 ably.

ably. A man of a bold and refolved spirit, and who could not give way

to any

human

authority in religious matters, but followed fteadily the conviction of his own judgment. He was a laborious and ferious preacher. He bestowed much pains in composing his fermons, and always ftudied to do honour to his station and character. He maintained a great and firm mind in very afflicting circumstances, which attended an unweildy body, and full of disorders, for many years. This confined him much, and rendered him incapable of those fervices for which he was in other refpects very well qualified. He was much esteemed in the Belfast fociety, and very zealous in their cause,

MR. Shaw was a gentleman who could not be known without being beloved. He had an education fuitable to his genteel parentage. He had the greatest sweetness and cheerfulness of temper, happily joined with a gravity which became his character, and fat easy upon him. He was much and justly admired for prudence and discretion in his conduct. Not hafty in refolving, and very diligent to fatisfy himself thoroughly in the reafons upon which he acted. But

of

of a firm mind, and not to be put out of his course, when his reason was convinced. He was formed for friendship, having great generosity, tenderness, purity, and conftancy of fpirit. He laboured in his work as a minifter with much diligence and affectionate concern for his people. His life was, in all respects exemplary. He was the delight of his friends, and could scarcely have an enemy.

MR. Harper was diftinguished by great piety and tenderness of affection. He had attained to a confiderable degree of learning in the languages and philofophy, as well as divinity. His fermons were full of the pathetic, which was natural to him, and without any affectation. He had a delicacy in his temper and paffions, which was in fome refpects uneafy to himself, but amiable to his friends, with whom he rejoiced or fuffered, as their circumftances gave occafion, above most men. He had the interefts of true religion greatly at heart, and was content to bear perfonal inconveniencies not a little grievous to him, rather than forfake that party which he believed had truth and reafon on their fide.

I SAY nothing of meffieurs * Nevin, Wilfon, Clugfton, Henderfon, and Mears, who

Mr. Nevin's death happened fince this preface was written. He was a man of great abilities, and indefatigable industry and activity. Exceedingly zealous for the juft liberties of mankind, and warm in oppofing all pretences to power in matters of religion and confcience. In the courfe of the debates between the Synod and. Nonfubfcribers, a particular charge was brought against him, for fome things he had faid in private converfation, which were thought inconfiftent with fome important articles of the chriftian faith. In the Synod which met at Dungannon, 1724, the matter was brought to a public trial; and iffued, not in a decifion upon evidence, but in requiring Mr. Nevin to make a declaration of his faith concerning the fupreme deity of Christ. This he would not fubmit to, for many reasons which he urged against such a method of proceeding, as holding an inquifition upon him, and a direct violation of the common rights of mankind: Upon which he was excluded from the Synod. The Nonfubfcribers protefted againft. this, and gave in their reafons, which are printed with Mr. Nevin's trial published by himself. His defence, to which the reader is referred, though made under great disadvantages, very much raised his character, even in the Synod as well as without doors, fhewing great eloquence and strength of reafon. He continued, notwithstanding his exclufion, to maintain his reputation amongft his friends at Downpatrick; and when the Nonfubfcribers were erected into a separate Prefbytry, became a member with them.

He was an eloquent and acceptable preacher, and delivered himself in the pulpit with great life. He had truly generous difpofitions, and was ready to ferve his friends at the expence of any labour to himself. As this engaged him in many affairs, fo he came to acquire a confiderable knowledge in civil matters, and was exceedingly serviceable in the neighbourhood by bis advice

and